1966 Railroad Approved 214 Accutron with 10kGF Bezel & SS Back.
Hands: Black Spade & Dart - Red Sweep Second
The case measures approx. 35mm across
Fifth- there were many accutrons in the model list subset. I'll post again below. In non-accutron watches, the center column has correspond to advertised model names, is used on some crystal packages and catalogs, etc... They had Accutorn Director w/ various variant letters, Accutron Astronaut w/ variant letters, Spaceview etc... and this was only by sping 1964. Those pamphlets which came with this series does not necessarily make it the model name. Remember "The excellency" series vs all the models w/ unique names in that "series". There's other examples of "series" pamphlets which don't translate into model names seen in ads, hang tags, etc... I just don't remember them now....
I'm not saying we should make any changes yet. Still thinking about that. But I do think it's worthy of discussion :) ...and I can't convince myself these did not have model names as per the lists and like the 202 ad (price $125) you posted earlier in the thread. Maybe it simply comes down to the convention we chose to use for accutron on MB.
The very two first sentences in the first link you provided (oldfathertime) says:
Setting the Time for the 214 Model Accutron
(Bulova's original instructions for setting the time on 214 Accutrons including Spaceview, Railroad & Astronaut Models)
This site had to call them something- just like we choose to. I'm reading further.
In reply to Fifth- there were many by William Smith
...and I agree with your statement
"Those price lists are confusing the heck out of everyone."
But to me that doesn't mean they should be dismissed or minimized in content. Out of this chaos can come order....
Lots of work- I don't want to "do it" , but heck, I don't want to pay my taxes either.
I suspect Old Father Time being a 'Bulova recommended' repair technician, or a specialist such as Mr. Martin Marcus would know a little more about the Accutron than We do Will, or ever could.
http://www.oldfathertime.com/accutron.htm
In the indusrty the basic identification of an Accutron is referred to by its Calibre, or Series and not by model number.
If We were to take the model number route the ID would become 'ACCUTRON 214' (identifying the series) Model # 202 - then We'd have the remaining models to contend with.
There have been several other ACCUTRON series produced since the production of the 214 Series and publication of the price sheets Will. the 218, 219 and so on. All having individual identifying model numbers.
Back in 1964 when the price lists were published only the ACCUTRON 214 series existed which is why We see no reference to the calibre, or series as there was no need.
Today in 2012 there is that need.
Which industry? The accutron repair industry? Not necessarily the one used on MyBulova for most all other vintage Bulova watches- but a great naming system non the less. It suits their purpose, meets their goals, and works fine for them. It's perfect.
Scenario: How would one order a mainspring for a 1963 American Eagle "F" model wristwatch? There's one right here. Consulting a qualified and trained Bulova service technician, the watch owner could say "I need a mainspring for an American Eagle F please" The industry would wnat to know what movement was in that watch- not the model name of the watch. If they are informed that it houses an 11AFF w/ 17 jewels, they go to their resources to determine which mainspring is interchangeable and needed...
...service manuals, interchangeable parts, series publications and all this is a great way to classify and name accutron watches, and essential to the industry to service. I've read most of fathertime and I don't see anything conflicting with the notion that the unique model name (or sometimes names for more than one variant) isn't necessarily a model number for accutrons. They use a naming convention that insn't necessarily or consistently based on what may appear in the vintage model ads, lists and hang tags. Their's is a great naming system. It's a great site and a great resource. It simply may not follow the system we use for other vintage Bulova watches on MyBulova.
What's on the hang tags of various accturons over the years. We don't need to have any watch associated with the tag. Just what's written on the hangtag? I think we see a "model name", much like the early bulova which had model numbers for names.
I think were getting close to publishing Peter. There's some off board discussion about the best way to "name" Accutorns. I believe we all want to name them in such a manor that it gives the most information about the watch, and still follows suit, to a degree, with overall site naming conventions. IMO it would be great to include some folks like you, OliverB and others who collect accturons and accutron knowledge in that off-board discussion - although it's long and colorful- so when we do decide how to publish it's model name, the accutron buffs who are not panel members have an idea how we came up with the name. I think more will be revealed soon. Peter, would you be interested in the off-board discussions?
In reply to I think were getting close to by William Smith
Hi Will, I wish I could help. There are so many different Accutrons with case and face variations. It will be and is very difficult to categorize them all. You already have the special model names on this site = Astronaut, Accuquartz, Railroad Approved, Spaceview and other Accutron model names. When you look for Accutron under 214, 218 on the search. "MyBulova Models" IMO that works very well. You could put the Accutrons under specific models of Tuning Fork Movements. 218 (ie 2180, 218D, 2181, 2182). under specific models of Tuning Fork Movements. 218 (ie 2180, 218D, 2181, 2182). models of Tuning Fork Movements. 218 (ie 2180, 218D, 2181, 2182) models of Tuning Fork Movements. 218 (ie 2180, 218D, 2181, 2182) , ,
